Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.
More of your health care takes place in your home than anywhere else. Having the right tools, medicines, supplies, and information on hand will improve the quality of your self-care.
Store all your self-care tools and supplies in a central location, such as a large drawer in the bedroom or family room. It's a good idea to keep all your family's medical records in one place.
Be familiar with the disaster preparation and response plan for your area. Keep the appropriate supplies on hand.
If small children are around, keep your supplies out of reach or stored in containers or cabinets with childproof safety latches.
It's important to keep the name and phone number of your doctor and pharmacy handy. Also, post the poison control phone number (1-800-222-1222) in a place where all of your household members can easily find it.
A cold pack is a plastic envelope filled with gel that remains flexible at very cold temperatures. Buy two cold packs, and keep them in the freezer. Use them for bumps, bruises, back sprains, turned ankles, sore joints, or any other health problem that calls for ice. A cold pack is more convenient than ice and may become the self-care tool you use the most.
You can make your own cold pack:
Mix 3 cups (710 mL) water and 1 cup (237 mL) rubbing alcohol in a freezer bag.
Seal the bag and place it in the freezer until slush forms.
Refreeze the bag when the slush melts.
A bag of frozen vegetables will also work as a cold pack.
Humidifiers and vaporizers add moisture to the air, making it less drying to your mouth, throat, and nose. A humidifier blows cool to lukewarm mist into the air, and a vaporizer puts out hot steam. A cool-mist humidifier is better for children.
The mist from a humidifier may be more comfortable to breathe than hot steam. But humidifiers are noisy, produce particles that may be irritating to some people, and need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Cleaning is especially important for people who have mold allergies. Follow the directions for cleaning the machine.
A vaporizer's hot steam is germ-free and may feel good when you have a cold. But the hot water can burn anyone who overturns or gets too close to the device.
Medicine Spoon
Medicine spoons are transparent tubes with marks that show typical dosage amounts. A medicine spoon makes it easy to give the right dose of liquid medicine. While the spoons are convenient for anyone, they are particularly helpful for people who have young children. The tube shape and large lip get most of the medicine into a child's mouth without spilling. Use the measuring device that comes with the medicine, whenever possible.
A handheld mirror or pocket mirror can come in handy for many uses. For example, you may want to use a mirror to help check your skin for growths or changes or to make it easier to see what you're doing when you use eye ointments or eyedrops.
Pillbox and Pill Splitter
A pillbox has lots of small compartments to organize your pills for each day of the week or month. A pillbox can help you or a caregiver keep track of which medicines you need to take. If it's the end of the day, and you see a pill in the compartment for that day, you likely forgot to take a dose.
Be sure to leave at least one pill in the original bottle. That way, if you forget what a pill is for, you can find it in the bottle it came from. A few medicines must be stored in their original containers so that they don't spoil. If your medicine label has this instruction, then don't use a pillbox for that medicine.
Store all medicines, vitamins, and supplements as directed. And keep them out of reach of children.
Pill splitter
There are many different kinds of pill splitters. Most work like this:
Place the pill in the slot, and close the lid. A small blade precisely cuts the pill in half.
Sweep the halves into the open box.
Pick them up and store them in your normal container.
Otoscope
An otoscope is a handheld device with a light, a magnifying lens, and a funnel-shaped viewing piece. It has a narrow, pointed end called a speculum that you put inside the ear canal. You can buy this device without a prescription at pharmacies and other retail stores. Some models can connect to your phone and take pictures. This may be helpful in some cases if you have an online visit with your doctor. Ask your doctor if you should buy an otoscope.
These are plastic and shaped like a pencil. They have a display window at one end and the temperature probe at the other end. These thermometers can be used in the mouth, rectum, or armpit. They are easy to use and easy to read. If you buy this type of thermometer, check the package for information about its accuracy.
These are also plastic, but they come in different shapes. The small cone-shaped end of the thermometer is placed in the ear. Body temperature is shown on a digital display. The results appear in seconds. Some models also show what the oral and rectal readings would be.
Temporal artery.
These thermometers have a small "cup" that is moved across the skin over the artery in the forehead. When used correctly, these thermometers are accurate.
Disposable.
These are thin, flat pieces of plastic with colored dots and temperature markings on one end. The color of the dots shows the temperature. These thermometers can be used in the mouth or rectum. A patch form can be used on a baby's skin to measure temperature for 48 hours straight. These thermometers are not as accurate as electronic or ear thermometers.
Forehead.
These are thin pieces of plastic with numbers on them. You press the strip against a person's forehead. The temperature makes some numbers change colors or light up. These thermometers are not very accurate.
Pacifier.
These thermometers are shaped like a baby's pacifier. They have a display that shows the temperature. You place the pacifier in your child's mouth to measure temperature. These thermometers may take longer to get a reading. They aren't as accurate as other types.
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com.
I am excited to announce that I will be relocating my practice to Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates. Starting November 4, 2024, my new address will be:
Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates 6550 Fannin St. Smith Tower, Suite 1901 Houston, TX 77030
Please note that my phone number and fax number will also change to the following: 24-Hour Telephone: 713-441-1100 Fax: 713-790-2643 Clinical Support Telephone (M-F, 8-5): 713-441-3515
I am excited about caring for you in my new office and hope you will make the transition with me. I will also continue to refill your medications as I have in the past. To assist, please provide your pharmacy with my new contact information.
Please consider checking your prescription refills to verify that you have enough medication on hand to last you until your next visit. Please note that your medical records will remain at my former office until you authorize their transfer. If you choose for me to continue providing your medical care, please complete and sign the enclosed “Authorization for Release of Medical Records” form and fax it to 713-790-2643. Once we receive your authorization, we will be happy to process the request for you.
Thank you for entrusting me with your medical care. My new team and I are dedicated to making this transition as seamless as possible. For help scheduling an appointment and transitioning your care, please call my new office number above.
I look forward to continuing your care at my new location.
Sincerely, Gopi A. Shah, MD
Dear patient
Dr. Albert Raizner, Dr. Michael Raizner, and Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary are excited to announce that our practice, Houston Cardiovascular Associates, will merge with Houston Cardiovascular Associates on November 1, 2024.
Our new offices are similarly located in Houston, near the Texas Medical Center and in Sugar Land. Our in-hospital care will continue at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center and Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Importantly, our new offices expand our services with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities. Our core values will always be, as they began over 40 years ago when Dr. Albert Raizner founded HCA:
Integrity – Compassion – Accountability
Our new address and contact information are:
Houston Office 5115 Fannin Street, Museo Building, Suite 801 Houston, TX 77004 Telephone: 713-790-9125 or 713-790-0841 Fax: 713-790-9663
Sugar Land Office 16605 Southwest Freeway, Medical Office Building 3, Suite 360 Sugar Land, TX 77479 Telephone: 832-833-1705 Fax: 281-973-2228
Your medical records are confidential and remain available at our new locations. We consider it a privilege to serve as your cardiologists and look forward to your continuing with us. However, should you desire to transfer to another physician, you may request a copy of your records by contacting us at our new addresses and phone numbers listed above.
We thank you for your trust and loyalty. As always, we will continue to be here to take care of you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Dr. Albert Raizner, Dr. Michael Raizner, Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary
